[9:59] the Friday night.

[14:19] You ready? All right. Welcome everyone to the

[14:23] regular meeting of the Sanfell City Council. Today is Monday, August 17th,

[14:27] 2026. The city clerk, if you could call the role.

[14:30] » Council member Bushy, >> present.

[14:32] » Council member Hill, >> present.

[14:33] » Vice Mayor Curts, >> present. Council Maria Tuli Rand Mayor

[14:37] Kate >> present. We met in close session prior

[14:39] to this meeting and I'll ask the city attorney to report out.

[14:43] » Thank you Mayor Kate. No reportable action was taken in close session this

[14:46] evening. >> Thank you. Good evening everyone and

[14:49] welcome. Thank you for joining us whether you're here in person or online.

[14:52] We appreciate your participation and engagement. We apologize that we're

[14:56] running a few minutes late. We did have a ribbon cutting out in front of city

[15:00] hall. There is a new incredible sculpture there. So, next time you're in

[15:04] the city, uh do check it out. Um it is one of several art pieces throughout the

[15:10] throughout the city. So, if you've attended a previous city council

[15:14] meeting, you know that we like to start by appreciating our staff as they work

[15:17] so diligently on behalf of our residents every day. So, it's a special highlight

[15:21] today to announce, they already know, but to announce to the community our

[15:26] team and employee of the quarter for Q2 of 2026. The team of the quarter are in

[15:32] our community and economic development department and they are our permit

[15:37] technicians. Sydney Dolchini, Julio Perez, and Oscar Padilla. Sydney, Julio,

[15:43] and Oscar have earned repeated praise for providing fast, high-quality service

[15:47] while making sure city permits are issued accurately and efficiently.

[15:52] During the transition to open gov, which is a platform that the city uses, they

[15:56] kept permit processing moving seamlessly while learning new systems, improving

[16:01] processes, and continuing to provide excellent customer service. Their

[16:05] patience, positivity, and solutions focused approach are a great example of

[16:10] teamwork and public service. And our employee of the quarter is Gray Melgard,

[16:16] senior civil engineer in public works. Gray consistently steps up for

[16:20] colleagues in our community, taking on significant additional responsibilities

[16:25] during a staffing transition while continuing to move important projects

[16:29] forward with calm professionalism and a collaborative spirit. Gray truly

[16:33] embodies our together Sanfell principles. We're very fortunate to have

[16:37] them on our team. Congratulations to Sydney, Julio, Oscar, and Gray.

[16:45] is how we uh applause in our chambers. I also want to briefly note that we now

[16:50] accept public comment by telephone as part of our public participation

[16:54] process. We welcome everyone's input and ask that whether participating in person

[16:59] or remotely, we maintain a respectful and welcoming environment even when we

[17:04] strongly disagree. We also include as part of our opening an land

[17:09] acknowledgement that was actually written by the tribe and it reflects our

[17:13] ongoing collaboration and work with them. We thank the original caretakers

[17:17] of this land. Sanfell is traditionally home to the coast Miwok people, many of

[17:20] whom today are citizens, our tribal citizens of the federated Indians of

[17:24] great rancheria and we honor their continuing involvement and stewardship

[17:28] practices that benefit us all. Thank you for being here. I'll turn it over to the

[17:32] city clerk as she can explain how the public can participate in tonight's

[17:35] meeting. >> Thank you, Mayor Kate. Tonight's meeting

[17:37] is being recorded and streamed live on YouTube. For members of the public

[17:40] wishing to provide public comment, you may participate in person through Zoom

[17:44] webinar or by telephone. If you're joining by phone, you can call

[17:47] 669-444-9171 and enter the webinar ID 860-619-5675

[17:56] pound. When you wish to provide public comment, you can press star 9 to raise

[17:59] your hand. When it's your turn to speak, you will hear a prompt that says to

[18:03] press star six to unmute yourself. If you're joining through Zoom, you can use

[18:06] the raised hand feature when you wish to speak. The host will call call on you

[18:10] and prompt you to unmute as well. If you're commenting in person, you can

[18:12] form a line at the podium once Mayor Kate invites public comment, and you'll

[18:16] have two minutes to provide comments. Displayed on the podium and the

[18:19] projector is a timer to help you stay within the two-minute time frame. At the

[18:22] conclusion of your two minutes, your microphone will be muted, so we may hear

[18:26] to from the next speaker. You're invited, though not required, to

[18:29] introduce yourself and say what part of Centerfell you live in, or if you're

[18:32] joining us from outside of Centerfell. If you're experiencing any technical

[18:35] difficulties, you can contact me at by email at city.clerk@c cityofterfell.org.

[18:41] Thank you. >> Thank you. We have open time for public

[18:44] expression at both the beginning and end of the meeting. At the beginning, we'll

[18:47] just do it for about 10 minutes for folks both in the room and online. We'll

[18:50] have more time at the end of the meeting. Uh you are welcome but not

[18:54] required as you just heard to state your name and what part of Sanfell you're in.

[18:57] And as I've already mentioned we do welcome a diversity of viewpoints and

[19:01] respectful disagreement and help us maintain a welcoming environment for

[19:05] all. So I already have received two cards of folks in the room. So now would

[19:10] be your opportunity. So we have Oliver Reyes and Mon Gaho. If you'd like to

[19:16] come and speak we would be interested in what you have to say.

[19:34] Good evening, Mayor K and council members. My name is Mona Maho and I am a

[19:39] student at Davidson Middle School. I am also part of alcohol justice youth

[19:44] organization in the canal. Whereas thank you for allowing us to speak again.

[19:49] We're here. We're asking for better lighting and clear signage at Pickle

[19:53] Park. This park is very important to the youth in our community. It's where we

[19:58] play, hang, and connect. These changes would make a huge difference to us.

[20:02] Thank you for allowing us to speak and thank you for your time and

[20:06] consideration. >> Thank you.

[20:11] » Hi, my name is Oliver Reyes and I'm an incoming freshman at Sanfile High

[20:15] School. In May, our youth ambassadors were here to request a platform for

[20:20] local youth voices to offer our concerns while offering

[20:24] fresh solutions. I am asking to reopen our request for the youth platform. We

[20:29] want to work with the city, not just speak to the city. We believe Santa Fe

[20:34] can be modeled for what youth centered civic engagement looks like. Thank you

[20:38] for your time and commitment to making our community safer and stronger.

[20:44] Thank you both for your comments and because it's during public open time, we

[20:47] can't respond formally, but I will say we're starting an East Sanrafll um

[20:52] planning effort which we would absolutely welcome youth participation.

[20:57] So, we have your contact information. We'll ensure that you know uh when those

[21:03] that engagement is happening because it will include pickleweed and it will also

[21:06] include other other parts of East Sanfell. Thank you. Thank you both.

[21:13] Is there anyone else in the ch

[21:18] Is there anyone else in the chambers that would like to comment during public

[21:21] open time? I don't see anyone in the chambers. Is there anyone online?

[21:26] » I see no hands raised. I'd like to remind everyone if you're calling on by

[21:30] phone. You can press star 9 to raise your hand.

[21:35] » I see no hands raised. >> Thank you. We will close the public uh

[21:38] open time for public expression and again there will be additional time at

[21:41] the end of the meeting. Uh we'll turn to the city manager and council member

[21:44] reports. Interim city manager Navasio. >> Okay. Thank you uh madame mayor. Uh just

[21:50] a few items I'll highlight. Um we've already put out uh um information in

[21:56] this regard, but just note that uh we have started the uh road construction

[22:00] work on point um uh San Pedro Road as well as um up in Terolinda. Uh these are

[22:09] both two significant paving projects part of our citywide uh um pavement

[22:15] efforts. Uh work is going to continue through October. So there's going to be

[22:20] traffic impacts on um basically weekdays from 8:00 to 5:00 with lane closures. So

[22:26] a just noting that and um asking everybody to just be uh very mindful of

[22:30] traveling through those areas. Um uh I'll just note that we also have um

[22:37] you mentioned the East San Rafll specific plan. We also have several kind

[22:42] of ongoing concurrent um community engagement efforts uh currently

[22:47] underway. The community is hopefully aware of the uh partnership with

[22:52] change.org that is soliciting uh feedback through uh their platform uh

[22:58] that folks can um have already started to um submit significant uh comments. We

[23:04] encourage that. Um also there's more information on the website. Uh council's

[23:09] also aware that the city as part of our strategic work plan is looking to review

[23:14] and as needed update our citywide uh parket permit uh program. There's been

[23:18] some um meetings with neighborhood groups. There's also going to be a

[23:22] survey that's going to be going out. So there'll be some more information on

[23:25] that. But just want to make folks aware of those two um opportunities for uh

[23:29] feedback we're soliciting. And I'll just highlight um see a couple of uh meetings

[23:36] later this week. Actually, tomorrow morning, our economic development and

[23:39] housing subcommittee will be meeting um on third floor of this building at 10:00

[23:44] a.m. Our police advisory and accountability committee will be meeting

[23:49] on Wednesday, 6 p.m. in um in this space. And then on Thursday, a busy day,

[23:56] we'll have our homeless subcommittee meeting in the morning. And our newly um

[24:02] formed uh subcommittee on the 350 Midel affordable housing project will be um

[24:07] holding its meeting um on uh Thursday evening at 5 o'clock.

[24:13] Um I'll leave it at that for now.

[24:16] » Okay. Thank you. I'll turn to my colleagues to report out what they've

[24:20] been up to. Uh Vice Mayor Curts, go ahead.

[24:23] Thank you. Um, I was a had the honor of presenting to Marin Community Clinics a

[24:31] proclamation on n national health center week partner appreciation day and we

[24:37] were one of the partners with um Marin Community Clinic. So that was nice. Uh

[24:42] the I attended the MCCMC Marin County Council mayors and council

[24:49] members legislative meeting. We did the golf center ribbon cutting um which is

[24:57] located in North Sanfell and Mayor Kate practiced. Uh it's quite interesting. It

[25:04] was good. Thank you to the our San Rafale police department for hosting

[25:09] National Night Out. I was able to visit three locations in North San Rafale and

[25:14] Contempo and two within Terolinda. And I did a tour of the Cedars uh site

[25:23] which is in San Rafale sort of right at the top of San Rafale and Sanelmo um

[25:28] that serves many individuals with developmental disabilities um with an

[25:33] additional focus on older adults. So >> that's it.

[25:36] » Thank you, Council Member Uran Scaladi. Thank you, mayor. Um, so I have a few

[25:42] updates from back in June because, um, I missed the meeting in July. I was

[25:46] visiting family. So, um, I'll just try to be brief. Um, on June 5th, um, I

[25:52] attended the Cal City's June policy committee meeting and I I'm representing

[25:57] the city on the environmental quality policy committee update. And uh so we

[26:02] just went uh with some updates on the priority environmental legislation

[26:06] including positions on bills related to building standards, data center, energy

[26:12] efficiency, clean energy permitting and energy governance. Um the committee also

[26:17] highlighted some of the cal city's sponsor legislation on disaster

[26:21] assistance, wildfire preparedness, sea level rise planning, um and the PFAS

[26:28] mitigation. So um I'm very happy to represent uh the committee and I will be

[26:33] attending the cal city cities conference in ju in September sorry um also

[26:37] attended in Brettheart the um sixth annual bread heart in the park and that

[26:42] was a wonderful neighborhood event uh showcased with the creativity of our

[26:47] local artists musicians makers and artist plays so it's always a great

[26:51] opportunity just to see the community uh there was a sea level right subcommittee

[26:56] meeting for the city of San Rafael where uh mayor Kate is always attending as

[27:00] well. And um let's see um something really exciting. It was the first annual

[27:07] green festival by Raises El Canal. And um so this was like um environmental

[27:14] event for the community. And I really want to thank everybody from the our

[27:18] staff from the city that made it possible at Pickle uh the Picklewood

[27:23] libraries and all the other agencies um who participated. I was actually

[27:27] volunteering with the Mar gardeners and it was really fun to get all the

[27:31] families interested um into composting and um different events. So, uh finally

[27:38] um on August 12th, I attended the ribbon cutting and a new business that I'm

[27:42] super excited um in the Marina Square is a Crunch Fitness. Uh Mayor Kate was

[27:48] doing the the ribbon cutting and council member Hill was there as well. And it's

[27:52] really amazing to have this new business in uh in my district. one which is the

[27:57] south of uh San Rafael and I know that there are already so I think they've

[28:02] been open for like six weeks, seven weeks now and it was completely packed.

[28:05] So it's so great to have a place for the community to to get healthy. And then uh

[28:10] this morning I had a really fun time. It was a meeting, but uh we were Mayor Kade

[28:16] and I with uh some of our um staff members were kayaking um in the canal um

[28:22] to show the new sustainability person from Marin County about sea level rise.

[28:28] Uh supervisor Saket was there uh many of our staff members and also from the

[28:32] county. So it was a lovely day but it was very important just to see it's a

[28:36] different perspective what you see from the water. So I'm very grateful that I

[28:40] got invited to that. So that's my report. Thank you.

[28:43] » Thank you. Uh, Council Member Bushy, >> I have three items to, um, report on.

[28:48] I'm going to do them in reverse chronological order so I can end with

[28:51] the best one. I'll start with um, the meeting of the

[28:55] board of the Central Marine Sanitation Agency. Two great things happened there.

[29:00] First, um we approved the job descriptions for the employees coming

[29:06] over to CMSA from San Rafale Sanitation um district which is part of our

[29:12] operational consolidation process. So the nuts and bolts are getting turned to

[29:17] to make that happen. We also heard uh in close session a report on the mediation.

[29:22] I can't share the details but I personally remain optimistic about the

[29:26] resolution of on the current dispute amongst the um JPA members. I also um

[29:33] attended national night out. I thought we had a great turnout this year and um

[29:38] I noticed that the safe team was particularly um popular. U people knew

[29:43] who they were and and more importantly what they did. And finally, on August

[29:48] 2nd, I was delighted to attend the annual achievement ceremony for

[29:54] Centerpoint Incorporated. They are a residential and outpatient treatment

[29:58] center headquartered here in San Rafale. 23 people graduated um from the program

[30:04] um and spoke about how their their lives are back on track. It was really a

[30:08] pleasure to hear the district attorney who was a keynote speaker talk about the

[30:13] role that um Centerpoint plays in turning people's lives around. So, it

[30:17] was a a very uplifting um experience at our um B Street Community Center. Thank

[30:23] you. >> Thank you, Council Member Hill.

[30:26] » Thank you, Mayor Kate. My report includes all meetings going back into

[30:30] July, which includes Saturday, July 25th. I attended three events that day.

[30:35] Gristol Park cleanup. Uh my duty was picking up all the cigarette butts going

[30:40] around. That was a self-appointed role. Uh then went over to the touch a truck

[30:45] event at Sanfell High School, the biggest touch a truck event yet. I was

[30:49] told because I wasn't there at opening that there was a line of people ready to

[30:53] get run in like it was Black Friday. Um and uh so we might need to find a larger

[30:58] venue next year. And then that evening I did a ride along with Corporal Agger. Uh

[31:04] it was a it was a wonderful evening to see how our uh patrol members are uh

[31:12] in our community and ensuring that uh safety is the priority. I will recount

[31:18] um one uh anecdote that evening that a person had called in indicating that

[31:24] they were in danger and then stopped talking. The officers um used uh

[31:29] persistence uh intelligence and experience uh to do to use every tool at

[31:35] their uh disposal as well as going door to door until the person was eventually

[31:40] found. Thankfully uh it was a person who was uh more confused and it was not uh

[31:44] more than that but but it spoke to me about the quality of our officers and I

[31:48] was grateful for that opportunity. Uh the next uh report is for Tuesday,

[31:54] August 4th, National Night Out. As already mentioned, I was with Lieutenant

[31:58] Eberly uh with along with the mayor, Vice Mayor, and uh Council Member Bushy.

[32:04] Uh we went to Crystal Park, West End Neighborhood, and Vivivalon Healthy

[32:07] Aging Campus uh where I was able to partake in what was being served that

[32:12] evening. And then on Wednesday, August 12th, I also joined uh Council Member

[32:17] Yuran Goladi at the uh Crunch Fitness and Marin Squares Shopping Center. Uh

[32:22] and then this past Friday, August 14th, I had an opportunity to visit the Marin

[32:27] Fire Station, the only uh station in our shared service network that I had not

[32:31] previously visited. Uh it was great to see the folks serving our community who

[32:34] had just come back from a medical call. Um, seeing station 58 was a reminder

[32:39] that it was not one of among one of the public safety uh sta one one of the

[32:43] stations that was included in our public safety improvements funded by measure E

[32:49] from 2013. And I was also reminded uh going back just a few months ago that

[32:53] the city had allocated funding um timarinwood to support an important

[32:56] intermediate step toward uh stronger staffing and improved compensation on

[33:00] the way to full parody. And it was a reminder that we remain committed to the

[33:04] longer term service agreement uh at some point in the future to bring staffing uh

[33:08] to uh full parody and compensation. And then finally on that same day I was at

[33:13] the youth and arts uh building to receive the Cal Arts Council who we just

[33:20] uh spoke about uh um in front of city hall just now. uh that uh they were here

[33:26] for a day uh for their off-site meeting and they were pivotal in ensuring that

[33:32] this city received just over $700,000 just a few years ago on the heels of in

[33:38] 2017 being designated uh as uh one of 14 uh cultural arts districts in the state

[33:44] of California. We're grateful to the California Arts Council for coming here

[33:48] and being able to tour uh our our city and see a lot of the results of that

[33:53] funding uh ongoing programs and of course the public art. That's my report.

[33:58] » Thank you. I'll just add a few things. I also participated National Night Out and

[34:03] again thank you to our first responders who also participated and the community

[34:07] leaders that brought their neighborhood together um so we could all connect. So

[34:11] that was a really really well attended event.

[34:14] As you know, I'm your representative on TAM, the transportation authority of

[34:17] Marin. TAM staff met with city staff and with DPW and director Miller uh to

[34:24] discuss about the one Bay Area grant program that is through MTC, the

[34:28] Metropolitan Transportation Commission. This is funding opportunities for us to

[34:32] do projects locally. Uh it is not always a straightforward uh way to apply for

[34:37] those grants. So, TAM is offering their expertise and working with the city if

[34:41] we so choose to apply for any of those grants. In addition, we had a TAM

[34:46] commission meeting. You might have read about it in the J today. Uh, one of the

[34:50] key items was talking about throughout Marin County the coordinated traffic

[34:54] signal modernization plan update. Uh, the short version is many of the traffic

[35:00] signals have don't reflect um, modern uh, technology. So, TAM is looking at

[35:05] all of the signals comprehensively and then we'll prioritize which ones will be

[35:09] upgraded. Hopefully, all will be, but they won't be able to be upgraded all at

[35:12] once. So, that's really looking at it across the entire county.

[35:16] Uh, we've heard about the ribbon cutings. We always love ribbon cutings.

[35:20] Uh, they tend to pick up a little bit in the fall as people return back from the

[35:23] summer. And as mentioned, we had the Marin indoor golf. If you want to work

[35:26] in your golf game, that's up in Terinda. And then Crunch Fitness, you want to

[35:29] work on your personal fitness. Um, and that is down in the Canal neighborhood.

[35:33] So, very appreciative of our local businesses. And then finally, I was

[35:37] honored to speak at Drake's Terrace. It's a retirement community here in

[35:40] Sanfal. I asked hard questions and really wanted to know what was going on

[35:44] in Sanfell. So always appreciate all of us all appreciate always appreciate the

[35:48] opportunity to come and speak to community groups. So if you're

[35:51] interested, do reach out. Um and we are happy to do so. So thank you all for

[35:55] what you've done since our last meeting in July. And before we move on to the

[35:59] consent and calendar, I will have uh any public comments. So if you want to

[36:03] comment on any of the items that you just heard specifically about the

[36:06] reports, now is your opportunity to do so. And I will look in the chambers

[36:13] if you would like to comment on the reports.

[36:18] » Yeah. So just the reports. There will be public comment on the other items. I

[36:22] don't see anyone in the chambers. Is there anyone online that would like to

[36:25] comment on the reports? >> I do see one hand raised and just want

[36:28] to remind everyone that they can use star 9 to raise their hand. And just as

[36:32] a reminder, we are taking phone comments and we want to maintain a welcoming

[36:37] environment by refraining from hateful or discriminary discriminatory remarks.

[36:51] » My name My name is Gson and I support the police. I support the police. Brutal

[36:59] I hate so much. They beat our women in sport. They beat our

[37:05] women in county jails. >> I hate so much.

[37:09] » If you could mute, I just would like to >> So, we are taking public comment and

[37:14] it's a new world. So, I'm going to turn to the city attorney to find out what

[37:18] speech is acceptable and which is not. >> Uh, thank you, Mayor Kate. And I think

[37:22] it's important to note that um the speaker was muted, but the speaker has

[37:26] um uh uh not been cut off the line. I just think that the type of speech that

[37:33] was um just heard and we heard similar speech uh prior to the close session

[37:38] this evening uh is worthy of comment before the speech is allowed to continue

[37:42] under the first amendment. So, we have a couple of sources to look

[37:47] at when we analyze whether uh this type of speech is something that um we must

[37:53] endure at a public meeting like the one that we're in. I think it's particularly

[37:58] important to make these observations tonight because we have young people in

[38:02] the room and the kind of speech that we're hearing and it sounds like we're

[38:06] going to continue to hear when the speaker resumes is speech that if we had

[38:11] a choice we really likely would um make the decision not to expose minors to

[38:17] because it's so uh inappropriate in our view. All that said, uh I want to make

[38:23] some observations about our city's policy and explain why my advice uh to

[38:28] you, Mayor Kate's going to be uh when I'm done speaking, which will take a

[38:32] little while longer. So bear with me, um to allow the speaker to continue with

[38:36] their remarks if they're in the same vein and don't tread into what actually

[38:40] is impermissible under the first amendment. So uh the question presented

[38:47] is whether uh the the speech violates the city's adopted policy on disruptive

[38:54] behavior in a public meeting. What is disruptive behavior? We actually have it

[38:59] defined here in San Rafale and it tracks the government code. The applicable

[39:04] government code uh section is 54957.95

[39:11] which defines disrupting as behavior that actually disrupts, disturbs,

[39:15] impedes or renders in feasible the orderly conduct of the meeting and

[39:20] includes failure to comply with reasonable and lawful regulations of the

[39:24] body. Except for true threats of force, removal must be preceded by a warning

[39:29] that the behavior is disrupting the meeting. Now, in some people's view, the

[39:32] speech that we were just hearing might uh fall within that definition, but that

[39:37] really would be inconsistent with uh what the first amendment would deem uh

[39:42] disruptive speech. An example I would give would be if the speaker were here

[39:46] live and standing at the podium, the comments that were made would be

[39:52] permissible speech under the first amendment and our disruptive speech

[39:56] policy. What would be impermissible is if the speaker at the conclusion of

[40:00] their aotted time refused to seed the podium and continued to just talk and

[40:06] rail and scream and make similar comments. If that were to occur, it

[40:11] would be uh permissible to eject the speaker. But going back to our policy,

[40:16] uh, and similar to what I just read from the government code, disruptive behavior

[40:21] under Sanderfell's policy 7.1 under disruptive behavior in public meetings

[40:27] is speech or actions that prevent the legislative body from conducting its

[40:31] business. For example, and this goes along with what I just said, yelling

[40:35] over speakers, refusing to yield the floor, spamming the chat.

[40:40] This isn't really chat. When we're getting online uh oral commentary like

[40:45] this, spamming is what we've experienced sometimes in the past when a uh person

[40:50] was able to take over the chat function on um our uh then Zoom meetings and put

[40:56] in uh epithets and things like that. Fortunately, uh we don't um seem to

[41:01] offer that possibility anymore because we're able to control that from

[41:04] occurring. Um so that kind of speech would be disruptive of our policy. I

[41:09] think also because of the uh comments that we heard earlier this evening that

[41:13] most people present didn't hear but the council did prior to close session. It's

[41:17] important to talk about obscenity for a moment and the difference between

[41:21] profanity and obscenity. Um

[41:26] using a profane word and even a profane word directed at a public official is

[41:32] not obscenity as defined by the law. And so, um, it would only be speech that

[41:39] would meet the, uh, the legal definition of obscenity. That would be speech that

[41:45] would not be required to be permitted at this public meeting and would be, um,

[41:50] speech that we'd be entitled to prohibit. Uh, one more comment I want to

[41:54] make before we resume is about hate speech for a moment. And this is uh

[41:59] precisely relevant to the speech that we were just hearing because it was calling

[42:04] out um uh certain members of the community and making uh hostile or

[42:09] adverse comments about them. Hate speech under Sanderfeld's policy means speech

[42:14] that demeanes or targets people based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender,

[42:20] sexual orientation, or similar protected characteristics is often deeply

[42:25] offensive. but is generally protected under the First Amendment if it does not

[42:32] cross into unlawful conduct. And so when we're hearing speech like we were just

[42:38] hearing, which we interrupted, but which um if the speaker has stayed on the

[42:43] line, my advice to you, Mayor Kate, will be to allow the speaker to continue.

[42:47] That sort of um speech would be permissible. As hateful as it is, as

[42:52] unpleasant as it is to hear, as much as all the people in this room, especially

[42:57] those of you on the dism and appreciate and respect so much, abhore, uh there's

[43:03] really um nothing we can do other to endure it, to be thankful that we live

[43:08] in a country that has the first amendment and gives people the right to

[43:12] free speech and an opportunity to express themselves, to continue to do as

[43:16] mayor Kate does to encourage uh community members to um keep their

[43:20] remarks positive and to not use speech like that. But I think for everyone

[43:24] present, including our young people who are having their chance to experience a

[43:30] public meeting tonight, it's important to understand why with a lawyer in the

[43:35] room, with a police chief in the room, with a a uniform police officer present,

[43:40] and with our elected city council members on the dis, it might appear to

[43:44] the community and those present that we're not doing anything about it. Well,

[43:50] that's true, but we're enduring the speech for a reason, and I thought it

[43:55] very important to explain that tonight. Thank you for allowing me this

[43:58] opportunity to make these comments, Mayor Mayor Kate.

[44:02] » Thank you, city attorney. Um, we appreciate that, and we appreciate that

[44:06] we are balancing public participation, which we um welcome and hopefully it's

[44:12] done in a respectful, non-discriminatory manner. So, I know we did mute the

[44:16] speaker. If the speaker has anything that they would like to share hopefully

[44:20] with that additional guidance and this is on the council member reports only we

[44:26] would be welcome to hear your viewpoint as long as we I'll leave it there. So if

[44:33] you could just have your concluding statement that would be fine.

[44:36] » Give me one moment.

[44:48] Thank you very much, city attorney, and thank you for upholding free speech.

[44:54] Yeah, I just hate training so much. And I want

[44:58] to roll on the streets of Beverly. Like I said about the Warkski case and

[45:06] also Mayor Curt Mayor Danger your dump

[45:13] as we said protected speech. Thank you for your comments. You may close the

[45:17] public comment at this point. Please mute. Thank you.

[45:21] » I see no other hands raised. >> Okay.

[45:25] » We'll give everyone just a moment. >> Think we've had enough moments. Thank

[45:28] you. >> Good public comment.

[45:29] » Okay. With that, we will move on to the consent calendar. We have items 2 A

[45:35] through 2L. Um, I would like to discuss consent

[45:41] item I, but we will accept public comment on all items, but I did want to

[45:45] pull consent item I, which is the fleet replacement. Um, and specifically about

[45:51] a letter we received from sustainable Sanfell. So, we will have staff respond

[45:55] to that. Are there any other items that the council would like to hold?

[46:00] Not seeing any. I will open public comment on the entire consent agenda. So

[46:05] that's items 2 A all the way through including I through L. So if you'd like

[46:10] to comment on the consent agenda, you're welcome to state your name and what part

[46:14] of Sanfel you live in. Maybe pull the microphone up. There you go.

[46:19] » Good afternoon. Um, my name is Jose Guusman and I'm here on behalf of

[46:23] Aliados Health, an organization that represents 17 community health centers

[46:27] across six counties including Marin County and Marine Community Clinic,

[46:34] Marin City Health and Wellness Center and Reader Center, key um, community

[46:38] health centers in this city. So, I just wanted to make a quick comment about

[46:42] thanking the major and members of the city council for proclaiming National

[46:47] Health Center Week. We appreciate your support in recognizing and the important

[46:52] role that community health centers play in the city and across the region.

[46:57] Community health centers provide high quality affordable primary care

[47:00] regardless of a person's ability to pay. They provide essential services

[47:06] including primary care, dental care, behavioral health, and preventative

[47:11] services. As the resolution noted, community

[47:14] health centers in the across the county provided 300,000 patient visits and more

[47:20] than uh to more than 57,000 patients. This information is coming from 2025 and

[47:26] is across the county of Marine. Thank you again for recognizing National

[47:31] Health Center Week and for your continued support for the work that

[47:34] community health centers play in the city. We look forward to continuing our

[47:38] partnership and to to improve the health and well-being of our community. Thank

[47:43] you. And again, my name is Jose Guzman and representing Aliad Health.

[47:47] » Thank you, Jose. And that was in reference to the proclamation that's

[47:51] part of our consent agenda. Thank you. Anyone else like to comment on the

[47:56] consent calendar? Not seeing any public in the room. Is

[48:01] there any public comment online? >> I see no hands raised. Give me one

[48:05] moment. Thank you.

[48:08] » I see no hands raised. >> We will close the public comment online.

[48:12] Um and I would accept a motion on all the items

[48:16] except for I and then we'll have staff speak to I.

[48:18] » So moved. >> I'll second.

[48:20] » Moved and seconded. Roll call, please. >> Council member Bushy.

[48:24] » I. >> Council member Hill.

[48:25] » I. >> Vice Mayor Curts.

[48:26] » I. Council Edensalotti. >> I.

[48:28] » Mayor Kate. >> I. That motion carries 5-0. So the item

[48:32] that was pulled was a fleet replacement. We received an excellent letter from

[48:35] Samfell uh sustainable Sanrafell and they had a straightforward question

[48:41] about why not all of the vehicles specifically the motorcycles and the

[48:46] police administrative vehicles were not within the electric vehicle pool. So I

[48:51] was hoping that chief could um clarify that for us and respond to their

[48:56] concerns. >> Happily. Thank you uh Mayor Kate. Good

[48:58] evening members of the council. Um we uh staff did receive the letter uh that you

[49:04] made reference to. I hosted a personal conversation today with the author of

[49:07] that letter, answered a few questions and provided some clarification as it

[49:11] relates to the police motorcycles, staff cars, those types of things. We have um

[49:17] begun our transition to some electric vehicles. We have two electric vehicles

[49:22] in the fleet. One's operated by a police captain. The other is assigned to a

[49:26] police lieutenant or special operations lieutenant. The vehicles that are in the

[49:31] staff report for replacement uh include one vehicle which is assigned I'll speak

[49:37] cryptically but it's assigned to an undercover uh operator um who in some

[49:43] cases is on rolling surveillances and very special uh special utility for that

[49:49] vehicle and electric vehicle would not be conducive to that line of work.

[49:53] The other experience we've had thus far uh with where our uh uh uh charging

[50:00] infrastructure exists today um we with the uh electric vehicles that we do have

[50:07] in service. We originally assigned them to detectives. Detectives who rotate

[50:11] through on call uh responsibilities. Uh in some cases um on call

[50:17] responsibilities, the operator takes the vehicle home in case of um an after

[50:22] hours call out. We've had cases where uh when the detective during their work

[50:27] shift is operating the vehicle, uh it's not charged enough for them to get home.

[50:32] Uh so we continue to evaluate the products available. We continue to

[50:37] improve our infrastructure, but um these vehicles, you know, we specifically met,

[50:43] including the city manager, sustainability, and we walked through

[50:47] our options. At this point, we're we continue to remain open uh to further

[50:52] electrifying our fleet, but at this point, these vehicle recommendations are

[50:55] based on operational need. >> Thank you, Chief. That very well

[51:00] explained and understanding the operational constraints. Any questions

[51:04] by the council on this item? other than just gratitude that you have been

[51:08] thoughtful about it and that the transition does continue but in a way

[51:11] that enables our officers to do their work because that is the highest

[51:14] priority. Thank you. So with that I'd entertain a motion on this specific item

[51:18] please. >> So I'll move to accept the completion

[51:21] and authorize the city cler to file the notice of completion. Is that no sorry I

[51:26] missed it. >> Adopt the resolution.

[51:27] » Adopt the resolution for >> Yeah.

[51:30] » Do I have to? >> Yeah.

[51:32] » Wait. Two I

[51:35] » not I two I. >> Yes.

[51:38] » Second. >> Moved and seconded on two I. Roll call,

[51:41] please. >> Council member Bushy.

[51:44] » I. >> Council member Hill.

[51:45] » I. >> Vice Mayor Curts.

[51:46] » I. >> Council member Yenslotti.

[51:48] » I. >> Mayor Kate.

[51:49] » I. That motion carries. 5-0. Thank you. We have two uh grand jury reports that

[51:53] the council will be reviewing uh this evening. The first one is response to

[51:57] grand jury report on MCE Marin Clean Energy. and we will turn it over to the

[52:04] interim city manager uh to tee it up. >> Yeah, I'll just provide a quick

[52:10] introduction. As was noted uh by the mayor, actually the next two items uh

[52:14] represent um staff's proposed response to um the two reference uh grant jury

[52:21] reports, one related to marine clean energy, and then we'll touch on the

[52:25] report uh related to special districts. Um, as I shared previously, council,

[52:30] I'll just note that, uh, these are two of four, uh, grand jury reports that

[52:35] were issued over the last several weeks. Um, there's a third one that I would

[52:38] argue has, um, city interest, but, the city was not requested to provide a

[52:43] response that has to do with, um, findings and recommendations related to

[52:48] the county measure A park and open space. And for the purpose of this

[52:52] meeting, I'll just note that um staff is working with the county administrator's

[52:56] office and other cities and towns to coordinate a response uh related to that

[53:01] uh report. But without further ado, I'll turn it over to um Pya Nixon in our

[53:06] office to uh present the first item. >> Thank you so much. Good evening, mayor,

[53:10] members of the city council. I hope everyone is doing well. I'm here to talk

[53:14] about item 3A, which is the response to the grand jury for Marin Clean Energy.

[53:21] The action that we are requesting tonight is uh that the city council

[53:26] adopt a resolution approving and authorizing the mayor to execute the

[53:31] city of San Rafll's response to the Marin uh county civil grand jury report

[53:37] entitled MCE Marin Clean Energy a series of missteps highlight need for

[53:43] governance changes. And just as a reminder, the city does have 90 days to

[53:48] respond. Um and you'll note in your packet that

[53:52] the full response is there as an attachment. So just a little bit of

[53:56] background. Um the report examines the governance oversight and management

[54:01] practices of MCE Marin Clean Energy, the uh community choice aggregator uh that

[54:08] provides electricity to most San Rafale households and businesses as well as

[54:12] those of the other 37 uh other member cities, towns, and counties. Um just a

[54:21] little bit of the conclusion that we read in the report is that MCE's uh 34

[54:27] member board of directors has not consistently exercised an active

[54:32] governance role. Um the board uh seated significant authority to MCE's uh

[54:38] management and spending increased more than $200 million

[54:43] uh uh more than $200 million more compared to last year. Um, and I'll also

[54:49] just note that MCE is governed by a joint powers agreement. The MCE board,

[54:55] not the city of San Rafael City Council, exercises governing authority over MCE

[55:02] policies. So, there were two findings and then two

[55:06] recommendations. Um, the first finding is F4. Many board members have quite

[55:12] understandably limited experience regarding a large and complex company

[55:17] such as MCE. The response is that we agree, the city agrees. Um and then F5,

[55:24] which is all MCE board members uh are local elected officials who face

[55:30] competing demands on their limited time and resources. As a result, meeting

[55:36] attendance has often been poor and insufficient for optimal optimal uh

[55:41] effective governance. And the response is agree for that. Um and then there's

[55:46] two recommendations. Uh the first one, R5, is by December 31st, 2026, all of

[55:53] MCE's marin jurisdictions and preferably all 38 jurisdictions covered by MCE

[56:00] should implement a process by which its appointed board members or in that

[56:05] person's absence, the designated alternate member commits to attending

[56:10] each regular board meeting. And this recommendation will not be implemented

[56:14] at this time but will be considered further. And then the last

[56:19] recommendation which is R six by December 31st 2026 all of MCE's marine

[56:27] jurisdictions and preferably all 38 jurisdiction covered by MCE should

[56:33] reassess their appointments uh of chosen board members to prioritize those with

[56:39] the most ex extensive financial and energy expertise. and the recommendation

[56:46] is uh will be implemented and interim city manager if you have a comment.

[56:51] » Yeah, I'll just add a couple comments and um just to clarify that uh the

[56:56] findings and the recommendations in the report are that of the grand jury not of

[57:01] the county or MC or any of its um member agencies. Uh with respect to the um two

[57:09] specific recommendations, um I think we stated in the formal

[57:13] responses attached that um in many ways city council already does both of these

[57:21] um at least the spirit of those recommendations and all of your

[57:24] appointments, right? ensuring that folks um both have an interest um have a

[57:29] general aptitude uh towards the subject matter and the expectation of uh the

[57:36] council as probably the case with all the councils that appoint the

[57:39] representatives that the folks will make every effort to um you know attend the

[57:44] meetings and be in the best position to serve in those roles. Uh the the grand

[57:50] jury report um just wants to underscore the need for um

[57:58] uh a strong governance model which includes um knowledge, expertise um and

[58:04] time needed to um serve in that role. I will leave it at that.

[58:12] » And that concludes my report. Thank you. Thank you, Prea. Any questions that the

[58:17] council has? Okay, we will enable comments, but I

[58:22] don't see any questions. So, not seeing any questions. We'll open up the public

[58:25] comment on this item. If you'd like to comment on the grand jury proposed

[58:29] response to MCE, now's your chance. I don't see anyone in the room. Anyone

[58:34] online like to comment on this item? >> I see no hands raised.

[58:39] » Okay. Thank you. I will close the public

[58:42] comment online and come back to comments. And maybe I'll first I know

[58:47] that you want to comment. Um why don't we first go with our representative on

[58:50] MC if you have any comments then we'll just go to the vice mayor and then we'll

[58:53] all have additional comments. >> Yes. Thank you. No I um I I appreciate

[58:58] the uh the work that went into this response and I think um it really

[59:03] addresses the the grand jury's findings and recommendations. This is again uh

[59:08] the marine grand jury for um 38 different um districts or or cities and

[59:15] and counties. So um I think um um there I think there is value in the MC's

[59:23] governance model of having locally elected officials at the table and uh

[59:28] bringing accountability and the perspective of the community that we

[59:30] serve as well. I've been serving in MC for this is my sixth year. So I won't be

[59:37] looking for to renew for the following year but I really um I think um um

[59:42] trying to find somebody that has knowledge around um energy and um and

[59:48] finance will be good although it is we are not elected to have that expertise.

[59:53] So with that I definitely support moving forward with this response. Thank you.

[59:58] » Thank you vice mayor. Any comments? I just said I appreciate the work that was

[1:00:03] put into the whole grand jury report as well as the work that's happening

[1:00:08] currently at MCE to address a number of open issues and concerns. Um I think the

[1:00:14] responses to the findings and the recommendations

[1:00:18] um work for us and align with work that we're already doing. So I appreciate

[1:00:22] that. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Hill.

[1:00:26] » Thank you, Mayor. Yeah, I think um the goal and vision and mission of Marine

[1:00:31] Clean Energy, formerly Marine Clean Energy, now MCE, is noble. I do think

[1:00:35] that appropriately uh the Marine uh civil grand jury has uh raised uh

[1:00:40] questions on governance and I'm thankful that staff was able to respond and bring

[1:00:46] uh the recommendations to the council. Thanks.

[1:00:48] » Thank you, Council Member Bushy. U my comments um are those of a former civil

[1:00:55] grand jury member and they go to the um quality of the presentation in this

[1:01:02] response and the the second response the next one that we get to and I am very

[1:01:07] impressed that with the analysis um the writing and the explanation of very

[1:01:13] succinctly explaining the city's role and the city's position and bringing it

[1:01:18] all together in a clear response in um in both of these and as a former grand

[1:01:23] juror I know that making that connection is um the important part of um why they

[1:01:30] put out those reports. So congratulations on two jobs well done.

[1:01:35] » Thank you and I'll just conclude. Thank you for that presentation. Um I will

[1:01:39] note that it's an unusual board and that there are 34 members. So thank you to

[1:01:43] council member Uransuli for being there and a pretty un a large group. So, I'm

[1:01:48] glad grand jury also looked at it and just for members of the public, we'd

[1:01:51] have both um our appointee and we also have an alternate that is something that

[1:01:55] we'll continue to do in the years to come. So, we're always at least two

[1:01:58] folks um that are will cover Sanfell when the meetings occur. So, um thank

[1:02:04] you to staff for doing that. I would entertain an Go ahead, Council Member

[1:02:09] Micah. >> Thank you, mayor. Um, so I'll move um to

[1:02:13] adopt a resolution approving the unauthor unauthorizing the mayor to

[1:02:17] execute the city of San Rafael's response to the Marin County Civil Grant

[1:02:21] jury report titled MC Marine Clean Energy. It's actually MC Clean Energy,

[1:02:26] but a series of missteps highlight need for governance changes.

[1:02:32] » Second. >> Moved and seconded. Roll call, please.

[1:02:35] » Council member Bushy. >> Hi.

[1:02:36] » Council member Hill. >> I.

[1:02:38] » Vice Mayor Curts. >> Hi. Council Marina Encelad.

[1:02:40] » Hi, >> Mayor Kate.

[1:02:41] » I That motion carries 5-0. Thank you. The next one is another grand jury

[1:02:46] report. This is on special districts. >> Oh, and I see PA is leaving. So, we'll

[1:02:50] have the city manager, interim city manager. Go ahead.

[1:02:54] » Okay, I'll uh I'll cover this one. Um, so this uh second report by uh for which

[1:03:00] the city is um required to submit a response within the uh statutory 90day

[1:03:06] uh time frame. Uh is the report related to the grand jury's um review of

[1:03:13] arguably like sort of the patchwork of special districts that uh provide uh in

[1:03:20] almost all cases pretty critical municipal services to to residents uh

[1:03:25] throughout the county. Um uh the title of the report is better service at lower

[1:03:31] cost optimizing essential services for the future of Marin. Um, again, there's

[1:03:38] uh our staff report and the action is the resolution authorizing the mayor to

[1:03:45] essentially sign off on the response which is included in your packet.

[1:03:49] There's a um number of findings F1 through F7 that I could just summarize

[1:03:55] by saying that they speak to in the grand jury's opinion uh the fragmented

[1:04:02] structure of special districts uh that can lead to um sometimes uh duplication

[1:04:09] particularly on administrative functions but sometimes um spilling over into

[1:04:14] operational um there are larger districts or smaller

[1:04:18] districts And for some of these services, the grand jury notes that

[1:04:22] scale matters and some of the smaller districts have more challenges in um

[1:04:27] meeting their um goals and objectives including you know staffing challenges.

[1:04:32] There's um also disperate um pricing and rates across for instance our sanitary

[1:04:39] districts and um water districts uh fire districts providing services and um the

[1:04:48] sense it's in essence the report um makes a case to uh look continue to look

[1:04:54] at ways to knock down some of the perceived barriers to uh consolidation

[1:05:00] where it has the promise of more efficient service, lower cost, and

[1:05:05] better service uh to our to our community. There are um also a number of

[1:05:11] recommendations that um we're being asked to respond to. Um uh the first

[1:05:17] recommendation is that all district boards uh should have conducted their

[1:05:21] first uh semianual consolidation exploration. Our answer there is again

[1:05:26] this is not directed specifically at the um city of San Rafll although I would

[1:05:32] note and we say in the staff report that we are actively uh pursuing uh

[1:05:37] opportunities for uh consolidation of districts and the two that are cited I

[1:05:41] think they might have even been mentioned earlier is our work with the

[1:05:45] Marin um Marinwood community services district around um consolidating fire

[1:05:50] services and the aforementioned um transition of the San Rafale sanitary

[1:05:56] district from being under sort of the opices of the city of San Rafale and

[1:06:01] merging with the central marine sanitation districts. Um

[1:06:07] um so I I think I'll just wrap up by saying that um not only does San Rafll

[1:06:15] in our view support the idea of continuing to look at opportunities for

[1:06:19] efficiencies and improvements um even if that means the hard work of

[1:06:24] consolidation. I know that the Marin Lafco has looked at this on numerous

[1:06:29] occasions um including the two areas that we're currently working on and uh

[1:06:34] city staff with council uh direction will continue to um do our part. So with

[1:06:40] that I'll uh bring it back to the mayor and council.

[1:06:43] » Thank you. Any questions on this item? >> Yeah, council member Hill.

[1:06:48] » Um just the the question it seemed on face value. My question is that on face

[1:06:52] value that all the recommendations that did not obviously pertain to the city of

[1:06:56] Sanfell. When a civil grand jury asks questions um for us to respond to that

[1:07:01] are so obviously not for us to respond to, are they inviting municipalities to

[1:07:06] take the bait and get involved? Or was it just a misdirection

[1:07:11] or something else? >> I don't know if I can speak to the grand

[1:07:16] jury's intent. Um I will just say that uh within reason

[1:07:22] um any opportunity that the city may have to comment um we'll look at. Thank

[1:07:30] you. >> Thank you. Not seeing any other

[1:07:33] questions. I'll open up the public comment on this item. If you would like

[1:07:36] to comment in the chambers, now is your opportunity.

[1:07:40] I don't see anyone coming forward. Anyone online that would like to comment

[1:07:43] on this item? >> I see no hands raised, but I'll remind

[1:07:45] everyone you can press star 9 to raise your hands.

[1:07:49] I see no hands raised. >> Thank you. I'll close a public comment

[1:07:52] and bring it back to the council for additional comments. Vice Mayor,

[1:07:56] additional comments. >> I support so much of what has said been

[1:08:01] said in this report. Um, I think it's a conversation that we've had a number of

[1:08:06] different times. And I think one of the messages that comes out loud and clear

[1:08:10] in the report is that it takes a lot of work to actually do the consolidation

[1:08:16] work. And I appreciate the work that San Rafll is already doing in a number of

[1:08:20] these different situations. In terms of our response, it's our response. It

[1:08:26] makes the most sense right now. Um, and because it wasn't really in our purview

[1:08:31] to deal with Thank you, Council Member Hill.

[1:08:34] Comments. >> Thank you, Mayor Kate. Yeah, building on

[1:08:36] the vice mayor's comments, the report called out the opportunity ahead for

[1:08:41] consolidation that there is um benefit to it and and as the vice mayor

[1:08:46] indicated, there are uh many uh parts of it that can be uh fraught uh to just

[1:08:53] weigh in, weighed in. And they call out further that um often times

[1:08:59] consolidations are done under duress. um in a moment uh when it's particularly

[1:09:04] challenging. So, I appreciated the uh the questions and uh hopefully we can

[1:09:08] find our way towards um better governance in our community with smaller

[1:09:11] districts. >> Thank you, Council Member Ursali.

[1:09:13] Comments. >> Uh yes, I concur with everything that

[1:09:16] has been said. I completely agree with the with the report and I think it's

[1:09:20] it's very important to um look at the different organizations that they exist

[1:09:25] and see how we can um whenever possible bring them together um including school

[1:09:31] boards that maybe were not included in here. I must say that thank you.

[1:09:36] » Thank you. Council member Bushy comments.

[1:09:39] » Um um my comments are just that we're living the dream here in San Rafal. um

[1:09:44] bringing consolidation um to the forefront and doing the hard work um

[1:09:49] that it takes. So I think the response is uh nicely summarizes all of our

[1:09:54] policies and our strategic plan. >> Thank you. And I'll just add I

[1:09:57] appreciate the grand jury looking at this. This is something again outside of

[1:10:01] the purview of the city of Sanfell as it were but the Sanfell sanitation

[1:10:05] district. We did point to previous grand jury reports as we started on working on

[1:10:10] consolidation um which there is a formal process that will be starting the

[1:10:15] discussion but in the interim we are working on an operating agreement to the

[1:10:18] vice mayor's point it takes time we've been at it for two and a half years um

[1:10:23] for lots of reasons the mechanisms and the systems are hard to change but

[1:10:26] appreciate the grand jury looking at this I truly believe that it's best for

[1:10:30] our residents rateayers and taxpayers to have additional consolidation throughout

[1:10:35] Marine county. So, look forward to seeing how the other agencies respond

[1:10:38] where it's more applicable where they're special districts. So, um I would

[1:10:43] entertain a motion on this item, please. >> I'll raise a motion adopt the resolution

[1:10:48] approving and authorizing the mayor to execute the city of San Rafale's

[1:10:52] response to the Marin County Civil Grand Jury report titled better service at

[1:10:56] lower cost, optimizing essential services for the future of Marin.

[1:11:01] » Second. >> Moved and seconded. Roll call, please.

[1:11:04] Council member Bushy >> I.

[1:11:05] » Council member Hill >> I.

[1:11:07] » Vice Mayor Kurt >> I.

[1:11:08] » Council Marensi. >> Hi I.

[1:11:10] » Mayor Kate. >> I. That motion carries 5. Thank you.

[1:11:12] Thank you to staff for preparing those reports. The last item on our agenda

[1:11:16] this evening is the city manager employment agreement. Paul Nazio.

[1:11:21] So is there a staff report on this? Okay. I just realized city attorney turn

[1:11:26] it to you. >> Thank you Mayor Kate. Members of the

[1:11:28] council. I'll be doing the report on item 3C tonight. attached to the staff

[1:11:33] report, the written staff report is a resolution appointing Paul Nazio as the

[1:11:38] city's permanent city manager effective tonight and approving the attached

[1:11:43] employment agreement to identify him for the record. Mr. Nazio is seated

[1:11:47] immediately to my left wearing a navy suit with a navy tie and a white shirt.

[1:11:54] Mr. Nazio has served as the city's finance director since 2023, but then

[1:12:00] became the acting city manager in February and the interim city manager in

[1:12:04] April. Staff uh now recommends that the council make his appointment permanent.

[1:12:10] So, I just want to review a few key points on the agreement. They're

[1:12:14] reflected uh as well in the staff report. The city charter uh um is

[1:12:20] respected in the agreement. He Mr. Nazio is proposed to be appointed for an

[1:12:24] indefinite term. Uh the council does have the full authority to remove the

[1:12:29] city manager at any time with or without cause.

[1:12:33] The agreement does uh run for an addition initial term through August 31,

[1:12:38] 2028 and then calls for an automatic renewal every two years after that.

[1:12:45] Important to talk about compensation for a moment. The base salary is not

[1:12:50] increasing beyond what the city manager would already be entitled to based on

[1:12:55] the across the board increases that were provided to uh the city workforce. July

[1:13:00] 1, the um unrepresentative executive management employees received uh a cost

[1:13:07] of living increase and it's proposed that um Mr. Nasio's uh salary would

[1:13:13] similarly increase retroactive to uh January 1. So, it's not a new or a

[1:13:18] special raise being made. Uh, >> July,

[1:13:22] » excuse me, July one. Uh, that was a misstatement. July one. So, it's not a

[1:13:27] new or a special raise. It's um uh simply um

[1:13:33] uh bringing him current with what all the other directors received. Uh I do uh

[1:13:40] want to uh correct two points on the staff report that were called to my

[1:13:44] attention as being inconsistent with the agreement. We were working on the

[1:13:49] agreement up till the last moment and there were a couple things that we

[1:13:52] failed to pick up in the staff report. There are details, but I think uh it's

[1:13:57] important to get these on the record. I'll also note uh that under um the now

[1:14:02] prevailing law, the reason why this is a regular agenda item is because it's

[1:14:06] required to be under the government code,

[1:14:10] there's a uh place in the staff report that talks to a compreh speaks to a

[1:14:14] comprehensive review for the city manager uh being under section 9G of the

[1:14:20] agreement with amendments to be acted on if there are any amendments to the

[1:14:24] agreement by June 30, 2028. That's an incorrect reference in the staff report.

[1:14:30] Uh what is correct is in the final agreement. The provision I just

[1:14:33] referenced is in section 7D and the deadline for the council to act on any

[1:14:38] amendments would be March 1, 2028, not June 30th. But the meet and confer date

[1:14:45] to talk about whether to make amendments is correctly stated both in the staff

[1:14:49] report and in the agreement is January 31, 2028. There's also a miscitation of

[1:14:56] the government code. That one hits me really hard. And um that's because the

[1:15:02] legislature changed the Brown Act a teeny little bit. And what used to be

[1:15:07] 54953C3 is now 54953D3.

[1:15:14] Ah, and so it's correct in the agreement. It's not correct in the staff

[1:15:19] report. I wanted to call that to your attention. Kudos to those who spot such

[1:15:23] sort of things. And because they were spotted by someone else sitting in this

[1:15:27] room, I was able to correct the record tonight.

[1:15:31] So to be clear, these are simply uh errors that were in the staff report,

[1:15:35] not in the agreement. We stand by the agreement that's recommended for your

[1:15:39] consideration and adoption tonight. And my recommendation remains to adopt the

[1:15:44] resolution uh in its current form uh adopting the agreement appointing Paul

[1:15:50] Nazio as our permanent city manager. That concludes my staff report. I'm glad

[1:15:55] to take any questions you might have. >> Thank you, city attorney. Thank you for

[1:15:59] those clarifications in the staff report. We will have time for comments,

[1:16:02] but we'll start with questions as we always do. Any questions? I don't see

[1:16:06] any questions from the council. I will open up public comment on this item.

[1:16:10] Anyone in the chambers like to comment on this item?

[1:16:14] I don't see anyone approaching the dis. So is there anyone online that would

[1:16:18] like to comment specifically on this item?

[1:16:20] » I do see one hand raised.

[1:16:31] » Hello there. Please vote this item because uh pointing Basio is city

[1:16:37] manager because Basio is attorney being big giddy greetable motherucker who's

[1:16:43] going to steal. I'm >> going to go ahead and if you could mute

[1:16:46] please and I know we had a speech from the city attorney

[1:16:51] and I do appreciate that there are different voices being uh mimicked by

[1:16:56] the caller. So maybe you could review where we are. Yeah, we did go into this

[1:17:00] at some length earlier in the meeting and I'm not going to repeat all the

[1:17:04] comments I made before, but I do think it's important to lend context for the

[1:17:07] community when uh because of the new uh um requirement that our beloved state

[1:17:13] legislature has imposed that we take public comment in this fashion over Zoom

[1:17:18] and because we don't have a 7-second delay like they used to have on the

[1:17:22] call-in radio shows, uh we get speech that is surprising, I think, to the

[1:17:27] community because um Many people would find it offensive, abhorrent, and speech

[1:17:32] that we would prefer not to listen to. However, uh even hate speech uh is

[1:17:38] permissible public speech and frankly the the city can't prohibit it in a

[1:17:42] public meeting like this because of our first amendment. And the speaker started

[1:17:47] making uh um comments about um race and ethnicity. Uh and those are definitely

[1:17:54] hate speech. and in a different context they would be actionable. Uh for

[1:17:59] example, you can't um you know use hate speech in the employment context and

[1:18:03] that sort of thing. But here um uh we really have to listen to the speech. And

[1:18:10] so I would advise that the mayor allow the speaker to continue for their aotted

[1:18:14] time. And I hope that my comments have helped uh anybody watching now or who

[1:18:19] later watches this uh uh meeting to understand why this speech is being

[1:18:23] allowed. >> Thank you for that clarification. I'll

[1:18:26] ask the speaker. You're not required, but we would like to know uh if you're

[1:18:30] welcome to say your name and what part of San Rafll you live in. would be

[1:18:34] appropriate. You're welcome to do that. And we hope that while you might find

[1:18:40] this entertaining, that you have helpful comments to the council would be

[1:18:45] appreciated.

[1:18:48] Timer start, please. >> Yes. Oh, mayor, I'm sick and tired of

[1:18:55] corruption in this city. And believe me, council manager in this thought now or

[1:19:01] whatever the hell his guinea name is, he's going to start buring people's

[1:19:06] speed bumps along the 101 freeway because we all know how those

[1:19:11] Italian back. Yeah. So them and you, Mayor Kate, your stupid

[1:19:20] » Welcome to our free country where you are able to say whatever you want. So we

[1:19:25] will in a spirit of democracy and upholding the things we hold dear. We

[1:19:31] recognize that we have to listen to comments that are frankly I will say

[1:19:36] unproductive not helpful and do not represent the values and the inclusivity

[1:19:40] of our community. So with no more public comment

[1:19:45] » more public comment >> and I'm very sorry that was a public

[1:19:48] comment we had. We will now have comments from the council that will

[1:19:52] actually um really represent the solity the solity and the seriousness and the

[1:19:58] delight of this agenda item. Vice Mayor, >> thank you and fully support uh this

[1:20:06] recommendation and the move to formalize the position um and to make uh Paul

[1:20:13] Deazio our formal city manager. Um, Mr. Nazio, you have been a breath of fresh

[1:20:21] air um, in the work that we've been doing. Can definitely see how your

[1:20:27] experience um, and support has already put us on a trajectory of achieving so

[1:20:34] much of what we have laid out. Um, I also appreciate your direct honesty when

[1:20:41] we're going off the rails. So, um it's very helpful and I think in the world

[1:20:48] we're in today, um your background, your finance background as well is incredibly

[1:20:54] invaluable to the work that we are doing. Um and so really appreciate that

[1:20:59] and looking forward to continue working with you in the years ahead.

[1:21:04] » Thank you. Uh Council Member Bushy, >> I'm delighted to support this um this

[1:21:10] matter on our agenda. Um it has been a pleasure to watch Paul become our um

[1:21:19] astute finance manager and then um evolve into our um city manager in a way

[1:21:27] that really focuses on our strategic objectives

[1:21:32] in a way that fully encompasses all of the humanity that is involved in those

[1:21:38] goals. Um, so I am confident in the future with Paul at the helm and can't

[1:21:44] wait to approve the contract. >> Thank you, Council Member Hill.

[1:21:49] » Thank you, Mayor. I am looking forward to uh voting for this resolution for

[1:21:54] Paul Nazio to become our permanent city manager. Paul, you've been unswerving in

[1:21:58] bringing every bit of your uh skill and experience uh to our city, and I look

[1:22:04] forward to that continuing. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Uran Guli.

[1:22:09] » Thank you, Mayor. I'm also very um excited to support this this

[1:22:14] appointment. Um I think you started as an acting city manager at a very

[1:22:20] complicated time of the year for us. Um and the fact that you have your

[1:22:24] background in finance and were able to do our budgets and everything that the

[1:22:28] city does. Um and also work with the staff members and knowing the respect

[1:22:34] that they have for you. I'm really excited to appoint you as our new city

[1:22:38] manager and also knowing that we have a lot of work to do. So, um very excited.

[1:22:44] Thank you. >> Thank you. It I am delighted that this

[1:22:49] is on our agenda this evening. I already see that you have the support of

[1:22:52] everyone on the DAS. So, we'll make it formal u momentarily. And I'll just echo

[1:22:57] everything that was said. your ability to uh navigate the past couple months

[1:23:02] during the budget season with a lot of other things coming at it uh which not a

[1:23:07] surprise in that you've had years of experience in public service. You have

[1:23:11] been in a city manager's role before. You have been in other roles in other

[1:23:16] cities and that wisdom is something we are all going to benefit from here in

[1:23:20] Sanfell. you've already heard from. We already are benefiting from that and uh

[1:23:25] we are so fortunate to have you here and that we want you and you want to be with

[1:23:30] us. So we are uh thrilled to have this um as I said on our agenda and I also

[1:23:35] want to thank the city attorney for working through all the mechanics of the

[1:23:39] document that is before us. So, um, I know it's not usual for you to say

[1:23:44] anything, but I would offer you the floor if you wanted to say anything

[1:23:48] prior to the council making a vote. >> Um, thank you. I think I'll just add

[1:23:54] that I um am excited to be here. I'm excited uh to uh work with the council

[1:24:00] and the staff, the ambitious work plan, and um

[1:24:05] um you know, honored and uh but ready to keep at it. So, thank you very much for

[1:24:11] the trust. >> You are welcome. Vice Mayor, would you

[1:24:16] like to make the motion? >> I would. Thank you. I'd like to raise

[1:24:19] the motion to adopt the resolution appointing Paul Nazio as city manager

[1:24:24] effective August 17th, 2026 for an indefinite term as required by charter

[1:24:30] section 8 and approving and authorizing the mayor to execute the city manager

[1:24:34] employment agreement. >> And a second.

[1:24:37] » Moved and seconded. Uh, roll call, please.

[1:24:40] » Council member Bushy, >> I.

[1:24:41] » Council member Hill, >> I.

[1:24:43] » Vice Mayor Curts, >> I.

[1:24:44] » Council Mars Galani, >> I.

[1:24:46] » Mayor Kate, >> I. That motion carries 50. We had public

[1:24:50] comment at the beginning of the meeting and it was not fully utilized. So, we

[1:24:53] will not uh have the public comment now this evening because we've already

[1:24:58] covered it the beginning. So, not seeing anything else on our agenda, this

[1:25:04] meeting is adjourned. Good night.

City Council – August 17, 2026

Agenda

Transcript